''Casablanca'', 1942 - art by Silvano Campeggi
by Movie World Posters
Title
''Casablanca'', 1942 - art by Silvano Campeggi
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Poster
Description
A vintage Italian movie poster of ''Casablanca'', a classic American romantic drama film released in 1942, directed by Michael Curtiz. The movie is set during World War II and is known for its iconic performances, memorable dialogue, and timeless storytelling. It remains one of the most beloved and critically acclaimed films in the history of cinema.
The film is set in the city of Casablanca, a bustling and politically charged Moroccan port town, where refugees and spies from various countries have converged. The story revolves around the character of Rick Blaine, played by Humphrey Bogart, who owns a nightclub called "Rick's Café Américain." Rick is a cynical and world-weary American expatriate who is initially seen as a neutral figure in the midst of the chaos and intrigue of the war.
The plot takes a dramatic turn when Rick's former lover, Ilsa Lund, portrayed by Ingrid Bergman, walks into his nightclub one night with her husband, Victor Laszlo, a Czech resistance leader played by Paul Henreid. This unexpected reunion between Rick and Ilsa reignites long-buried feelings and sets the stage for a complex love triangle.
As the story unfolds, "Casablanca" delves into themes of love, sacrifice, and moral ambiguity, set against the backdrop of a war-torn world. The film is known for its memorable quotes, including the famous line, "Here's looking at you, kid," and the stirring rendition of "La Marseillaise" as a symbol of resistance against the Nazis.
"Casablanca" is celebrated for its exceptional ensemble cast, which also includes memorable performances by Claude Rains, Sydney Greenstreet, and Peter Lorre. Michael Curtiz's direction, Max Steiner's musical score, and Arthur Edeson's cinematography all contribute to the film's enduring appeal.
The film received critical acclaim upon its release and won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Michael Curtiz, and Best Adapted Screenplay. It has since become a classic in the history of cinema and is often cited as one of the greatest films ever made. "Casablanca" continues to captivate audiences with its timeless story of love and sacrifice set against the backdrop of war.
About the artist:
Campeggi, nicknamed "Nano," has a unique style characterized by a sharp simplicity. The line of his drawings is distinct and thick, with few colors and elements. This essentiality is not an obstacle as it led him to create endless scenarios and combinations.
The style is vaguely reminiscent of Japanese prints and etchings: there is the same pursuit of cleanliness, balance, and graphic directness. Campeggi in some movie posters even reaches the conceptual style, choosing for the representation of the film just iconic objects, a face, an expression, a title. There is truly essential modernity in Campeggi's posters.
Silvano "Nano" Campeggi (1923–2018), born in Florence, Italy, was a painter and poster designer, today considered one of the most influential graphic artists in the history of American cinema. While living in Hollywood, he designed and produced the posters for many classic Hollywood films. As a result, he became known as "The Artist to the Stars".
Campeggi returned to Florence in the late 1990s after a long career in the United States, where he had created cinematic billboards for historical films such as 'Gone with the Wind," "Casablanca," "Singing in the Rain," "An American in Paris," "West Side Story," "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "Winners and Losers," "Exodus," and "Breakfast at Tiffany's."
His father, a printer and typesetter, introduced him to the world of graphics and design at an early age. Campeggi attended the Art School at Porta Romana, studying under accomplished painters such as Ottone Rosai and Ardengo Soffici.
Campeggi's first career breakthrough arrived in the form of a World War II commission from the American Red Cross to paint the portraits of American soldiers before they returned home. After the war, he moved to Rome, where he was engaged by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Following, he produced the poster for "Gone with the Wind," featuring a painting of Clark Gable holding Vivien Leigh in a passionate embrace.
Over the course of his career, Campeggi designed posters and advertising graphics for over 3000 films, designing for the likes of MGM, Warner Brothers, Paramount, Universal, Columbia Pictures, United Artists, RKO, 20th Century Fox, and several other movie studios. Sixty-four of the films he illustrated for won Oscars.
By the 1970s, film poster illustrations packed less of a punch due to the emergence of television and newspaper advertising. In response, Campeggi returned to Florence, Italy around that time. Various private and public organizations soon commissioned him to do paintings, including a postage stamp in 1975.
In 2008, for the 150th anniversary of Giacomo Puccini’s birth, Campeggi was commissioned to produce a special tribute titled "The Girls of Puccini." The same year, he began working on a Napoleon series to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the emperor's association with the island of Elba. The "Napoleon at Elba" exhibition opened in September 2008 at Portoferraio.
To see his other posters, enter his last name in the search.
Uploaded
February 7th, 2022
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